Electric sauna bath heating unit



Oct. 4, 1966 U. RAABE 3,277,274

ELECTRIC SAUNA BATH HEATING UNIT Filed Jan. 29, 1964 INVENTOR Ulo Raabe a /f/w United States Patent O 3,277,274 ELECTRIC SAUNA BATH HEATING UNIT Ulo Raabe, 459 Goulet St., St. Boniface, Manitoba, Canada Filed Jau. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 340,964 5 Claims. (Cl. 219-362) This invention relates to a` Finnish bath or sauna for combining the application of both heat and Imoisture to a bathers body, and such that a number of bathers can use the bath at the same time.

The sauna usually -consists of a small insulated room, preferably in t-he basement, having suitable benches therein for sitting or lying, provided with a stove vfor heating the air, including the heating of stones for steam generation by water contact therewith. It is desirable of course that the room be provided with a drain for the removal of condensation, also means for supplying fresh air and means for the exhaust of used air.

The disadvantages of the above arrangement however are, that the hot stove occupies usable floor space, and is a constant -hazard to the occupant or occupants, while fresh air and Iwater must be piped thereto, usually under the iioor as they could be tripped over, marking an expensive installation. Regulating mechanisms must be provided lto control the degree of heat .and moisture, and these controls will be operated by the occupant while wet, which constitutes a dangerous condition, especially if the stove is electrical. And, a stove is an unsightly object in a bath room.

The principal object of the present invention is: to provide a compact electrically operated sauna stove unit for installation in a wall of the bath room, so the licor space therein will lbe clear and -free of dangerous contacts to the occupant, while all elec-tric controls are operated from an adjoining room.

A further object of the invention is: to install the unit so that all electric connections, as well as the water and drain connections, can be concealed in the wall, and there -is nothing to mar the decor.

A further object of the invention is: to provide a forced air circulation through the unit and a separate heater for the air, so a fast rise in the bath room temperature is obtained from a rela-tively small sauna unit.

A further object of the invention is: to provide means in the unit, in combination with the above air circulation, for drawing fresh ai-r from the adjoining room to mingle with the sauna air.

A further object of the invention is: -to provide baiiie means in the unit `for directing the passing air over the heater, and at the same time protect the room occupant from the 4direct 'heat rays ema-nating lfrom said heater.

A further object of the invention is: to provide a receptacle in the unit for holding stones, and a separate heater therein for heating said stones to a high temperature, so water can be sprayed thereon and generate steam for passage into the bath room with the heated air.

A further object of the invention is: to provide a manual -control in the bath room, operable by the occupant thereof, to turn on or shut o the water supply to said stones, and so permit shock steam treatment to the body of said occupant, as he or she desires.

A further object of the invention is: to provide means for adequately insulating the unit from the wall for iire protection, including the provisi-on of an upper batiie for the air to circulate around and to keep the roof of the unit insulated from the hot stones.

A further object of the invention is: to construct the unit for automatic electric operation, which includes adjustable temperature control for the air, a safety shutoff if a dangerous rise in the temperature of the unit 3,277,274 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 should occur, fuse protection for the wiring, and a pilot light for indication of operation.

Further objects of the invention are: to construct the unit in a relatively simple manner, for maximum quantity production at minimum unit cost; in a two piece arrangement, so the parts can be assembled in a wall opening from opposite sides of the wall; for fast installation; adjustable to v-ary in wall thicknesses; all parts readily removable for repairs or replacements; and said unit presenting a strong rugged construction to stand up for many years of satisfactory service.

With the above important and other minor objects in view, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the design, construction and arrangement of the various parts hereinafter more particularly described, reference 'being had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a wall of a bath room, with the sauna unit installed therein.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2, of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the air heating element.

yFIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the back of the sauna unit, and showing the wiring diagram therefor.

A wall -of a Finnish bath room is indicated at 10 in FIG-URES l and 2, and a pair of vertical wooden studs are shown in the wall at 11 and 12, to support same. The two stud-s are connected -by a lower horizontal baseplate 1'3 and an upper headplate 14, which `is spaced from the baseplate. These four mem-bers, 11 to 114, form the framework -for an opening through the wall, to receive the sauna uni-t now to be described.

The body of the sauna unit `is preferably `formed from sheet metal, and has a vertical rectangular-shaped reinforcing partition 1'5. A rear boxing 16, of an L-shaped cross section, is received against one side of the partition, the leg of the L being inward. This boxing carries a horizontal Z-shaped partition 17, which divides same into a large upper wiring chamber 1S and a lower instrument chamber 19. The chambers are plate closed at 20 and 21 by metal screws 22. A deeper rectangular boxing 23, of slightly less area, is received against the other side of the partition 15 and such that -both can be welded to the partition, las indicated at 24. This welded portion of the boxing 23 is outwardly turned in a square-cornered hook-shape, as shown at 25. An open rectangular frame 26, same as the boxing 16, receives a rectangular frame 27 of U-shaped cross section thereagainst, for welding together as shown at 28. The opposite side of the frame 26 carries a permanent screen 29 thereover.

By observing FIGURE 1 it will -be seen that the sauna casing is a two-section unit, the two boxings 16 and 23, with partition 15 therebetween, forming one section while the frame 26, with screen 29 and U-s'haped frame 27, forming the other section. When installing this sauna unit in the wall 10, the lboxing 23 is passed through the Wall framework until the larger box-ing 16 contacts same, at which time the hooks 25 will neatly rit in the framework and rest on the baseplate 13, leaiving a spacing 30 around the unit. After the Wiring and piping connections are made to the unit, -as will be later explained, this spacing Will he filled with insulation 31, except at the bottom. The frame 26 is then passed over the projecting open side of the boxing 23 on the other side of the wall, until it too contacts the wall, the U-shaped iframe 27 being neatly received in the frame work, opposite the hooks 25, to hold the insulation in the spacing, and to rein-force the projecting end of the boxing 23. Screws 32 pass through the inner edges of the boxing 16 and the :frame 26, and into the framework of the openin-g, to hold the unit tirmly to the wall. Obviously, by this two-piece arrangement, the sauna unit is' readily attachable to diierent thicknesses of walls.

A motor 33 is centrally mounted on the bottom of the boxing 23, and is adapted to drive a fan 34 fastened on 'the shaft thereof. This fan is positioned in a circular opening 35 of a horizontal cross partition 316, carried by the sides of said boxing and by the partition 15, the front edge of the partition being turned up in a V-shaped baiiie 37, which also forms a heat guard in front of an electric element tubing 38, best shown in FIGUR'E 3. This element is provided with two parallel spaced end contacts 39 which extend rearwardly for reception in an outlet 40, carried |by the partition 15, and the element is supported by this outlet. A drip pan 41 is positioned across the boxing 23, some distance above the element 38, and is slightly horizontally spaced tfrom the vertical partition 15, as shown at 42. This drip pan is provided with a lower vertical drain pipe 43 which passes down the side of the boxing 23 and into the spacing 30, for connection to a sewer drain pipe (not shown) in the wall.

A pair of porcelain'enclosed elements 44 are positioned side by Aside (not shown) across the boxing 23 and directly above the drip pan. These elements are supported from the sides of the boxing 23 (not shown) and their contact ends 45 are receivable in suitable outlets 46 car- -ried by the partition 15. A rectangular-shaped open box 47 overlies the elements 44 and is normally iilled with stones 48, which are adapted to be heated by the elements 44. Three parallel and spaced tubings 49, preferably of copper, are mounted across the boxing 23, albove the stones, and each are provided with a lower lengthwise line of perforations (not shown) for the spraying of water on said stones, as indicated at 50-50. One end of each of the three tubings is connected to a water supply pipe in the wall (note dotted lines 511). This supply pipe is provided with a valve 52, the control 53 of which passes out of the wall and intothe bath room tor operation by the occupant. A curving short partition 54 extends across the boxing 23, above the tubings 49, is spaced slightly from the partition 15 so air can pass therebehind to insulate the boxing roof from the hot stones. A high temperature control switch 55 is positioned behind the partition 54 and carried by the partition 15.

The rear tace of the partition |15, above the partition 17, is covered with a heavy insulation 56. The rear ends of the outlets 40 and 46, as well as the temperature switch 55, pass through this insulation, and they are provided with suitable terminals, indicated by small circles 57 in FIG-URE 4, for wire connections in the boxing '16. The vertical partition 15, in the chamber 19, supports an outlet 58 which, on the other side of the partition, receives the plug of the wiring 59 from the motor 33 (see FIG- URE 1). A relay 60 is also carried by the partition in the chamber 19, as well as a pilot light 6'1 and a thermostat 62. The operable end 163 of this latter thermostat projects into the lbottom of the boxing 23 for operation by the temperature of the air stream moving therepast. A switch 64 is also positioned in the chamber 19 and controls the power from the main leads. This switch is carried by the cover plate 21, with the manual control therefor positioned on the outside. This switch is provided with a pair .of fuses, one of which is indicated at 66 in FIGURE 1. -It might also be mentioned that a hole 67 is provided in the plate 21 for visual observation of the pilot light 61.

When the boxing 23 is passed through the wall 10 and secured in place, and before the insulation 311 is inserted, suitable power wirin-g 68 in the wall is brought along the lower spacing 430, passed through suitable holes in the unit (not shown), and brought out the chamber 19, where it is connected to the switch 64. At the same time, the necessary Wall connections are made for the drain pipe 43 and the water supply piping 51. The insulation 31 is then added and the frame 26 closed thereover, as explained.

The wiring at the back of the -unit is as rfollows: The three main leads coming in on the caible 68 are indicated by the three circles 6-9, 70 and 71 in FIGURE 4, the neutral wire 70 being grounded to the sauna unit. The leads 69 and 7'1 are controlled by the switch 64 which is adapted to mak-e or break Contact with the fuses 66. A wire 72 connects the fuse of the lead 71 with one side of the thermostat 62, the pilot light 61 and the outlet 58, while a vertical lcross wire 73 connects the same wire 72 with one side of the contact for the relay 60 and the outlets 46. The opposite side of the pilot light 61 and the outlet 58 are grounded to the unit by a wire 74. The opposite side of the contact for the relay 60 is connected by a wire 75 with one side of the outlet 40. The opposite side of the thermostat 62 is connected by a wire 76 with one side of the coil -for'the relay 60. The other side of this coil is connected by a wire 77 with the opposite sides of the outlets 46, and to one side of the high temperature control switch 55. The opposite side of this latter switch is connected by a wire 78 with the other side of the outlet 40 and to the fuse of the main lead wire 69.

From the above disclosure it will be seen that the sauna unit is positioned in the wall 10 with the screen side thereof in the bath room, while the electric control side is in yan adjoining room for manual operation in av relatively dry atmosphere. When the main switch 64 is manually closed, the pilot light will go on, the fan will start and the closed elements 44 will start to heat by current from the outlets 46, as current can freely pass through the high temperature control switch 55. As current will be owing through the thermostat 62 and the coil of the relay 60, the contacts will be closed to the wire 75, so the element 38 will start to heat by current from the outlet 40. Accordingly, air will be drawn from the lower part of the bath room by the fan, driven up thereby and directed over the hot element 38 by the baflle plate 37, and then returned to the bath room over the baffle. At the same time, fresh air is drawn through the perforations 79 in the bottom of the chamber 19 from the adjoining room, through perforations 80 in the partition 15, and then driven up by the fan over the element 38 with the iirst mentioned air, all as shown by the directing arrows in FIGURE 1. As previously mentioned, a used air exhaust (not shown) will be provided in the bath room, and this will permit the entrance of the fresh air. When the bath room reaches a pre-determined high temperature, the thermostat 62 will shut oif current to the coil of the relay 60, causing the contacts to open, thus shutting oif current to the outlet 40, and the element 38. From then on, the thermostat will turn on and shut off the current as the air temperature fluctuates, so that a relatively `steady heat is maintained. During these shutoffs, the fan continues to run yand the closed elements 44 continue to heat the stones 48, which reach a high temperature. If desired, an occupant of the bath room can now turn on the valve 52 for a water spray on the stones, and the quickly generated steam resulting passes into the bath room with the moving hot air for a shock treatment to the occupant. The steam treatment can be just -as quickly stopped by the occupant turning off the water. Should the unit start to reach a dangerous temperature, for any reason, the switch 55 will be set to shut off the current to the heaters in time, so that just the fan and the pilot light will be operating, while the occupant or occupants of the bath room will be protected. The fan and pilot light will shut ott when the main switch 64 is opened.V Any water not turned into steam will run into the pan 41 for drainage down the pipe 43. It will also be noted that during the heat treatment, the occupant of the bath room is protected against heat rays from the element 38 by the baille. If desired, a time switch (not shown) could also control the heat current, as a safety precaution.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A sauna heating unit comprising: a hollow casing; a vertical partition between the side walls of said casing dividing same into a pair of separate boxings having open outer sides; a motor driven fan mounted in one of said boxings; a heating element mounted in the same boxing above said fan; a baille plate mounted partially across the open side of the latter `boxing opposite the element; said fan operable to draw air under said plate and into the rst mentioned boxing and direct same upwardly and over the element for heat reception therefrom and then deliver the heated air out over the plate; means positioned in the second of said boxings and connected to the fan motor and the element to control said latter members; and a thermostat in the first mentioned lboxing in the path of the air flow therethrough and operable with said control means to regulate the temperature of the air in said flow.

2. A sauna heating unit comprising: a hollow casing; said casing formed from a pair of telescoping sections; one of said sections adapted to be partially passable through a wall opening from one side for the reception of the other section thereover on the opposite side to retain said casing on the wall; a vertical partition between the side walls of said llrst mentioned section dividing same into a pair of separate boxings having open outer sides; a heating element mounted in one of said boxings; a container mounted in the same boxing above said element; a plurality of stones in said container to receive heat from said element; spray means above the container for directing water onto said stones when hot to generate steam; manual means for controlling a supply of water to said spray means; fan means in the first mentioned boxing below said container for directing air over the element and said stones for heat reception therefrom and for removal of said steam from the boxing; means in the other of said lboxings for electrically controlling said element and said fan; thermostat means positioned above said stones in the air llow of the rst mentioned boxing and operable to shut-olf the electric current to said element at -a pre-determined maximum temperature of the `air in said llow; and means positioned below said container and above the heating element for draining surplus water from said stones.

3. A sauna heating unit comprising; an open hollow Icasing section; a vertical partition between the side walls of said section dividing same into an outer boxing and an inner boxing of reduced size in respect to the llrst boxing and said boxings each having open outer sides; said inner boxing adapted to pass through an opening in a Wall for contact of Said outer boxing therewith and to leave a spacing between the portion of said Wall delining the opening and said inner -boxing therearound; insulation positioned in said spacing; a frame section telescopically receivable over the open side of the inner boxing for contact with the opposite side of the wall and to retain the insulation in said spacing; means for securing Said sections to the wall; a motor driven fan mounted in the inner boxing; a heating element mounted in the inner lboxing above the fan; a baille plate mounted partially across the open side of the inner boxing opposite the element; said fan operable to draw air under the plate and into the inner boxing and direct same up and over the element for heat reception therefrom and then deliver said heated air out over said plate; means positioned in the outer boxing and electrically connected to the fan motor and the element to control said latter members; and a thermostat in the path of the air flow through the inner boxing and operable with said control means to regulate 6 the temperature of the air ilowing through said inner boxing.

4. A sauna heating unit comprising: an open hollow casing; a vertical partition between the side walls of said casing dividing same into a pair of sep-arate boxings having open outer sides; a motor driven fan mounted in one of said boxings; a heating element mounted in the same boxing above the fan; a vertical baflle plate mounted partially across the open side of said latter boxing opposite the element; said fan operable to draw air under the plate and into said latter boxing and move said air upwardly and over the element for heat reception therefrom and then deliver the heated air out over the plate; a horizontal partition in the other of said boxings above the level of said fan to divide the other of the boxings into an upper wiring chamber and a lower instrument chamber; insulation covering said vertical partition within said upper chamber; electrical means in the lower chamber connected with the fan motor and the heating element to control said latter two members; perforations through the walls of the lower chamber for passage of air therethrough to the fan; and a thermostat in the path of the air llow through the first mentioned boxing and operable with said electrical control means to regulate the temperature of the air flowing through said casing.

5. A sauna heating lunit comprising: a hollow casing formed from a pair of telescoping sections; -one of said sections partially passable lthrough a wall opening from one side of the wall to receive the other section thereover on the opposite wall side and retain said casing on the wall; heat insulating means between the wall and said casing therearound; a vertical partition between the side k walls of said rst mentioned section and dividing same into a relatively deep boxing and a narrow boxing each having open outer sides; an electric air heating element mounted in the deep boxing; a fan mounted below said element; a relatively vertical baille plate mounted partially across the open side of the deep lboxing and in front of said element; said fan operable to draw air under the balle plate into the deep boxing and drive same upward to be directed by said baille plate over the element for heat reception therefrom and then deliver the heated air out over said baille plate; means in the second boxing connected to the fan motor and the element to control said latter members; a thermostat in the air flow path of said rst mentioned boxing and operable with said control means to regulate the temperature of the flowing air in said latter boxing; a container positioned in the upper part of said deep boxing; a plurality of stones in said container; a second electric heating element below said -container for heating said stones; spray means in the deep boxing above the stones for directing a supply of water thereon when hot to generate steam; manual means for controlling the supply of water to the spray means; said fan adapted to also drive said air lup through and over said stones for removal of said steam; an air baille between the spray means and the roof of said deep boxing to direct said latter air out of the boxing and to protect said roof from the heat of the stones; and a thermostatic electric shut-off for the second element positioned above the spray means and operable when the air flowing past the shut-off reaches a pre-determined high temperature.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,620,767 3/1927 Johnson 219-368 1,716,791 6/1929 Ness 219-370 1,948,759 2/1934 Holman 219-364 X 2,722,594 11/1955 Kueser 219-364 X ANTHONY BARTIS, Primary Examiner. 

2. A SAUNA HEATING UNIT COMPRISING: A HOLLOW CASING; SAID CASING FORMED FROM A PAIR OF TELESCOPING SECTIONS; ONE FO SAID SECTIONS ADAPTED TO BE PARTIALLY PASSABLE THROUGH A WALL OPENING FROM ONE SIDE FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE OTHER SECTION THEREOVER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO RETAIN SAID CASING ON THE WALL; A VERTICAL PARTITION BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST MENTIONED SECTION DIVIDING SAME INTO A PAIR OF SEPARATE BOXINGS HAVING OPEN OUTER SIDES; A HEATING ELEMENT MOUNTED IN ONE OF SAID BOXINGS; A CONTAINER MOUNTED IN THE SAME BOXING ABOVE SAID ELEMENT; A PLURALITY OF STONES IN SAID CONTAINER TO RECEIVE HEAT FROM SAID ELEMENT; SPRAY MEANS ABOVE THE CONTAINER FOR DIRECTING WATER ONTO SAID STONES WHEN HOT TO GENERATE STEAM; MANUAL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING A SUPPLY OF WATER TO SAID SPARY MEANS; FAN MEANS IN THE FIRST MENTIONED BOXING BELOW SAID CONTAINER FOR DIRECTING AIR OVER THE ELEMENT AND SAID STONES FOR HEAT RECEPTION THEREFROM AND FOR REMOVAL OF SAID STEAM FROM THE BOXING; MEANS IN THE OTHER OF SAID BOXINGS FOR ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLING SAID ELEMENT AND SAID FAN; THERMOSTAT MEANS POSITIONED ABOVE SAID STONES IN THE AIR FLOW OF THE FIRST MENTIONED BOXING AND OPERABLE TO SHUT-OFF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT TO SAID ELEMENT AT A PRE-DETERMINED MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR IN SAID FLOW; AND MEANS POSITIONED BELOW SAID CONTAINER AND ABOVE THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR DRAINING SURPLUS WATER FROM SAID STONES. 